In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000249
Date of Hearing : March 17, 2011
Date of Decision : March 17, 2011
Applicant heard through Audio Conferencing.
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Amar Singh Soni,
H.No.10A, Gujaron Ki Bagichi
Indira Bazar
Jaipur - 302001.
Respondent(s)
Ministry of External Affairs
Regional Passport Office
J14, Industrial Area,
Jhalana Dungri
Jaipur.
Represented by : Shri Shrawan Kr.Verma, MEA
Shri Prashant Kr.Jha, MEA
Shri P Roy Choudhuri, Advocate, MEA
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000249
ORDER
Background
1. The RTI Application dated 14.9.2010 was filed by the Applicant with the PIO, M/o External Affairs,
Passport Office, Jaipur seeking a copy of the Police verification report related to his request for
renewal of Passport . He also wanted to know whether the penalty of Rs 5000/ imposed upon him
for having suppressed the information regarding his residence while filling up the Passport form can
be reduced by 2500/ after taking into account the Rs.2500/ which he had paid as the Passport
fees. The PIO replied on 27.9.2010 informing the Applicant that the Police verification/enquiry
report has not been received as yet from Mumbai and that the penalty is reduced by 50% only for
those who are not literate and have not passed 7th class and that therefore in his case penalty
cannot be reduced. The Applicant filed his first appeal on 6.10.2010. On not receiving any reply from
the Appellate Authority, he filed his 2nd appeal before the Commission on 15.11.2010.
Decision
2. During the hearing the Respondent submitted that since the Applicant had suppressed correct
information regarding his residential address a penalty was imposed upon the Appellant and the
police in Mumbai was requested to verify particulars about the Appellant, as per rules since he was
living in Mumbai when he filed an application for his passport. According to the Respondents, the
police verification report still awaited. The Respondent further explained that the Chief Passport
Officer is the Competent Authority to waive the penalty. The Commission noted that the information
has already been provided for both points and that there is nothing more for the Commission to
authorize for disclosure.
3. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Amar Singh Soni,
H.No.10A, Gujaron Ki Bagichi
Indira Bazar
Jaipur – 302001.
2. The Public Information Officer
Ministry of External Affairs
Regional Passport Office
J14, Industrial Area,
Jhalana Dungri
Jaipur.
3. The Appellate Authority
Ministry of External Affairs
O/o the JS (CPV)
Patiala House Annexe
Tilak Marg
New Delhi.
4. Officer Incharge.